Tag: Solar Thermal

I always try to keep my fingers on the pulse of concentrating solar power as the clean energy technology that will get us through the next century. Right this minute, 10,836MW of CSP are under development, but only 423MW in …

Getting Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Off the Ground Read More »

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Dr. Mills, known worldwide for pioneering Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology and for his work over the past 30 years in non-imaging optics, solar thermal energy, and PV systems, contributed to the book’s chapter on solar thermal. This chapter …

About David Mills, Contributor to “Renewable Energy Facts and Fantasies” – Solar Thermal Read More »

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I hope the world is paying close attention to the development of molten salt technology to store solar energy as heat, for later conversion to electricty at night and on cloudy days. As reported here by The Guardian, the Italian utility …

Molten Salt Technology — Saving Solar Energy for a Rainy Day Read More »

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Though the Intersolar show in San Francisco last week was represented far more heavily by PV than solar thermal, there are indications that concentrated solar power (CSP) is enjoying a significant up-tick in public attention. In particular, CSP, rather quiet …

Solar Thermal/CSP Bravely Swims Upstream Read More »

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As planned, I used my trip to the Intersolar show to connect busily with many industry colleagues, including my friends at Renewable Energy World.  And, true to form, these folks weren’t exactly lounging around either. I found the company’s president, …

Renewable Energy World at Intersolar — and an Affirmation of Concentrated Solar Power Read More »

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Part of the reason that Bill Paul is so bullish on Northern Africa as a financial center for rrenewable energy is obvious: the Sahara Desert. Especially ripe for concentrated solar power, the desert is the solution to Europe’s thirst for …

Concentrated Solar Power in the Sahara Desert Read More »

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The migration to renewable energy is complicated by a great number of factors in the renewable energy “triumvirate” -technological, economic, and political. The chart below shows one of many different dimensions of this complexity: land use – which, when you …

Energy Policy and Land Use Read More »

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I wrote not too long ago about the huge, long-term role that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as part of the Department of Energy, plays in supporting the development of clean energy technologies.  Their work with solar energy leader …

Hybrid of Public/Private Financing for Renewables Read More »

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More on my coversation with John Hugo on solar thermal, who writes: Craig: I agree, could not have said it better re: nukes. Re: the capital intensity of solar thermal, I don’t have a cost estimate on the power block …

Solar Thermal – Ausra Sold! – More Discussion Read More »

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I’m sure many readers are aware of the incredible development in solar thermal / CSP (concentrated solar power). French energy giant Areva, which has a large nuclear portfolio, bought Ausra, and says it will use the acquisition to become “the …

Solar Thermal Leader Ausra — Sold! Read More »

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